Optional Excursions

The following list of optional excursions are examples only for this vacation.
These optional excursions might or might not be available. Whether it's a special
dinner, a local show or a special behind-the-scenes glimpse into an historical site,
optional excursions are a wonderful way to enrich your vacation even further. Plus,
they give you flexibility. We include the must-see sites and experiences, and we
also understand that people take interest in different activities and may want to
craft a more personal vacation by hand-picking optional excursions that appeal to
them.

Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal
suitability, days of operation, group interests, and general feasibility for your
vacation. The approximate value listed gives you a good, general idea of what you
can expect to pay but may vary once you are on your vacation. Some information provided
might be in a foreign currency; you can use our online
currency converter for exchange rate information.

An Insight into World War II and Cold War
Complete your Berlin experience with an insight into the recent historical events of WWII. Stop by the Wannsee Conference House where the final solution was discussed, then move near the Allied Museum to see the world famous "Candy Bomber" Airlift. Finally visit the Nuclear Bomb Shelter built on 1974 to provide a defense to more than 3000 people in case of nuclear attack. A moving, thrilling and involving experience that cannot be missed!

Approximate value: 28 EUR per person

Berliner Specialities Dinner
A delightful dinner in a typical German restaurant located in the heart of Berlin and very near the historic old city wall. The very varied "Berliner" menu offers a good choice of starters, main course and dessert and includes unlimited drinks (within 2 hours) of beer or wine or mineral water or soft drinks. Live music will entertain you during dinner.

Approximate value: 45 EUR per person

Wilanow Palace
Early afternoon departure for a drive out to Wilanow Palace and Museum, where upon arrival a local guide from the Palace will take care of you for a guided tour lasting approx. 2 hrs. The Palace was built at the end of the 17th century as a present by King Jan III Sobieski for his French wife and to make her feel more at home in her new country, as it was modelled on Versailles. Wilanow reached its heyday in the time of Stanislaw Potocki between 1799 and 1821 as he spent a considerable amount of time and effort in bringing the residence to top condition. In 1805 he opened the vast collection to the public thus creating Poland's first museum. Since 1945 the Palace has become state property. There will probably be time to look around the famous gardens with Baroque style garden, an English garden, a Chinese summerhouse, a Roman bridge and old pump house. Later in the afternoon drive back to Warsaw.

Approximate value: 30 EUR per person

Folklore & Dinner
On this evening excursion you will be taken to enjoy the unique atmosphere of a 18th century wooden restaurant just outside Krakow. After a glass of vodka or wine or soft drink as an aperitif sit back and relax and enjoy a 4 course traditional Polish dinner with unlimited drinks, mineral water and coffee or tea. At the start of the meal there will be relaxing background music and singing followed by the first half of the folklore programme. After a short break for you to enjoy the main course, the show will continue and people will be invitied to dance with the members of the folk group if they wish. To round off the evening the band will play some well-known international hits. Return back to the hotel in Krakow around 11 pm.

Approximate value: 55 EUR per person

Krakow Experience
With a local guide visit the lovely one-time capital of Poland, Krakow, on a sightseeing tour lasting approx. 2 hours. The tour is partly by coach and partly on foot (therefore comfortable shoes recommended). The guide will show you the Kazimierz - the medieval Jewish quarter where part of the film "Schindler's List" was filmed and also include an inside visit to Wawel Cathedral, where most of Poland's kings and queens were crowned and buried. The tour will then proceed on foot to visit the old town with an inside visit of St. Mary's church. As Krakow is probably the most beautiful city in Poland , the best way to see and appreciate it is on this sightseeing tour.

Approximate value: 28 EUR per person

Wieliczka Salt Mines
This excursion lasts about 4 hours and takes you to Wieliczka salt mines, which are a UNESCO World cultural heritage. Wieliczka is an old mining town with a 14th century bastion remaining from the town walls and 16th/18th century churches. The visit of the mines will be with a local guide, and you will be taken down to the mines by a short elevator ride. The salt mines have been in operation continuously since the 13th century and are one of the oldest working mines in the world. The tourist route is about 3 kms long and on 3 levels going to a depth of 136 metres. The route leads through various chambers, passing small salt lakes and richly decorated with salt sculptures and leads into the chapel of the Blessed Kinga. This excursion is not recommended for anyone with walking difficulties and those participarting are advised to wear suitable shoes and to bring a sweater or coat as it is quite chilly in the mines. At the end of the tour ride back to the surface by the elevator. Anyone wishing to take photos or videos will need to buy a special pass at the ticket office before going down into the mines..

Approximate value: 44 EUR per person

Danube Cruise & Illuminations
Embark on a one-hour river cruise, accompanied by a local guide pointing out the main sights, along the Danube to see another perspective on the city's illuminated sights. Enjoy river views of the Castle District, the House of Parliament, Gellert Hill, and cruise under the Chain Bridge and around Margaret Island. At the start of the cruise you will be welcomed on board with a glass of sparkling wine and then during the cruise you will be offered a second drink (choice between a glass of wine, beer or soft drink).

Approximate value: 33 EUR per person

Hungarian Night
Treat yourself to a typical Hungarian evening in a traditional local restaurant situated in a beautiful forest among the hills just outside Budapest. At the entrance you will be welcomed with music and a homemade Hungarian spirit served in Miska jugs, which can then be taken home as souvenirs. This will be followed by a 3 course local specialities dinner with unlimited wine, mineral water and coffee. During the evening you will be entertained with live gipsy music and folk-show - the latter giving you an overall picture of the Hungarian folklore, starting from the dances of Kalocsa up to the gipsy dancing. At the end of the evening drive back to the hotel in Budapest.

Approximate value: 50 EUR per person

Kursalon Waltz Show
The Salonorchester Alt Wien, one of the best-known interpreters of classical Viennese music, presents an evening full of charm with lilting sound of waltzes, polkas, arias and duets, as well as operetta and piano concert melodies. During the interval you will be offered a glass of sparkling wine or orange juice. Concerts normally take place at the Kursalon Wien but on rare occasions the concert could take place at Konzerthaus, Mozart Saal.

Approximate value: 50 EUR per person

Schonbrunn Palace & Gardens
A guided tour lasting approx. Three and a half hours with first a visit of the actual Schonbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Habsburgs, where one can see approximately 35 of well over 1000 rooms of the Palace with all of them containing their original furniture. Afterwards a visit of the beautiful gardens will leave an unforgettable impression. Free time to explore the gardens on ones own.

Approximate value: 42 EUR per person

Czech Dinner & Music
If you would like to experience a typical Slavic evening then join this excursion to be taken to a well-known restaurant where one can get both food, drink and at the same time enjoy dancing and singing show in a lovely atmosphere. The 3 course dinner lets you sample typical local dishes and an added plus is unlimited drinks (wine or beer or soft drinks), a glass of sparkling wine and also coffee or tea. During the evening there is folk music from all over the country with songs and dances from Bohemia, Moravia and Slovakia plus some gypsy music and dancing. Guests also have the opportunity to see some of the typical folk instruments such as the hammer-dulcimer, fujara and type of bagpipe. Towards the end of the evening there will be some international music - with the chance to dance if one wants to and to round off the evening one can listen to some soothing classical music.

Approximate value: 48 EUR per person

The Best of Medieval Prague
An afternoon of architectural beauty and a chance to see around the castle district for an in-depth look at Prague's history. With a local guide you will be taken up the hill to Prague Castle to have a tour of the interior to see St. Vitus' Cathedral with the crypt of the Czech kings and perhaps the tower, plus the new part of the Cathedral, the old Royal Palace and St. Georges' Basilica. (As this is a walking tour please wear suitable shoes).